Atlanta sheds cumbersome contracts from roster

New general manager Danny Ferry made two bold moves to shed cumbersome contracts from the Atlanta Hawks' roster, trading Joe Johnson to the Brooklyn Nets and reportedly dealing fellow forward Marvin Williams to the Utah Jazz for guard Devin Harris.

The Nets acquired Johnson in exchange for five players and a draft pick. The Hawks receive Jordan Farmar, Anthony Morrow, Jordan Williams and Johan Petro. They also will get DeShawn Stevenson in a sign-and-trade arrangement and will get Houston's 2013 lottery-protected pick.

The pick is lottery-protected until 2017, at which point it becomes a second-round pick.

Johnson, 31, is a six-time all-star, and he averaged 18.8 points and 3.7 rebounds this past season.

The deal with the Nets reportedly is not contingent on the re-signing of Deron Williams, who was meeting with Brooklyn officials Monday.

Adding Johnson and the $89 million over the four years remaining on his contract could make it difficult for the Nets to add Orlando center Dwight Howard, who said he wanted to be traded to Brooklyn. However, the Nets were able to acquire Johnson without having to part with center Brook Lopez, rookie MarShon Brooks or their own first-round pick as they attempt to keep Deron Williams. Brooklyn also signed Gerald Wallace to a four-year, $40 million deal.

Johnson is a scorer who can also handle the ball, an addition expected to please Deron Williams.

Morrow was the highest scoring of the players acquired from the Nets, having averaged 12.0 points last season. Farmar averaged 10.4.

Marvin Williams is a seven-year veteran who is due $8.3 million in 2012-13 and $7.5 million in 2013-14, but has modest career averages of 11.5 points, 5.2 rounds and 1.2 assists per game. Harris, 29, averaged 11.3 points and 5.0 assists last season. According to ESPN, the deal with the Jazz is pending league approval.

Ferry's wheeling and dealing will shed two hefty contracts while bringing in several that will expire after next season and set the Hawks up to be significant players in the free-agent market next summer.

The Jazz have also been active, having landed former Clippers guard Mo Williams in a four-team deal over the weekend.